National Consultant - Lao PDR Teacher Policy Development

Contract

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED) Duty Station: Bangkok Job Family: Education Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Bangkok Time) : 8-AUG-2022 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- **Background and Rationale:** Since July 2021, the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) has embarked on the development of the first-ever comprehensive national teacher policy to serve as an overarching framework for effective implementation of teacher-related policies already in place and for developing new legislation to close significant policy gaps. The development process has been supported by UNESCO Bangkok under the framework of its “Capacity Development for Education (CapED) in Lao PDR: Capacity Building Support for Teacher Education Programme”, and in collaboration with relevant development partners working in the areas of education and teacher education in particular. The draft comprehensive national teacher policy covers ten interlocking dimensions that affect teachers and the teaching profession: (1) Teacher Recruitment and Retention; (2): Teacher Deployment; (3): Teacher Education (Initial and Continuing); (4): Teacher Career Structures/Paths; (5): Teacher Employment and Working Conditions; (6): Teacher Reward and Remuneration; (7): Teacher Standards; (8): Teacher Accountability; (9): School Governance; and (10) Crises and Emergencies. The development process is guided by the [Teacher Policy Development Guide](https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000370966) (the Summary version of which, is also available in [Lao](https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000235272)), and its additional [Module on Crisis-sensitive Teacher Policy and Planning](https://teachertaskforce.org/knowledge-hub/crisis-sensitive-teacher-policy-and-planning-module-teacher-policy-development-guide), published by UNESCO and the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030. Long Description ---------------- In 2020, the MoES has established a Responsible Committee on the Development and Improvement of Teacher Policy in Lao PDR (Ref. Ministerial Agreement no. 2262/MoES.2020, dated 24 June 2020), comprising (i) the Advisory Committee, (ii) the Technical Committee, and (iii) the Secretariat and Coordination Committee, led by the Department of Teacher Education (DTE). Subsequently in 2021, the MoES has appointed two additional committees responsible for drafting and for reviewing legislation concerning the national teacher policy (Ref. Ministerial Agreement no. 2321/MoES, dated 7 July 2021). The draft national teacher policy and its accompanying implementation plan have been drafted by the National Drafting Committee. At present, the ten dimensions of the teacher policy and its respective implementation plan are under the revision process to address the remaining gaps. The implementation plan will further be costed to help inform the government on the policy decision and implementation. To further support the drafting process of the comprehensive national teacher policy and its accompanying implementation plan, including the costing of key aspects, until completion, UNESCO Bangkok is looking for a national expert to provide technical support to the National Drafting Committee. The national expert will be working closely with an international expert throughout the process. **Objectives:** The overall objective is to work in a team with an international expert, to provide support and accompany the National Drafting Committee in the policy development process, particularly in the following areas: - Updating the road map to reflect the essential remaining phases of the development of the comprehensive national teacher policy and its accompanying implementation plan in Lao PDR; - Co-facilitation of workshops (onsite or online depending on COVID-19 travel recommendations) to enhance capacity of the National Drafting Committee on revising a comprehensive national teacher policy and developing the costing element of the implementation plan, according to the updated road map; - Supporting the National Drafting Committee in the development of the detailed implementation plan and the development of costing element for key aspects of the ten dimensions of the comprehensive national teacher policy; and - Provision of technical support for the National Drafting Committee in the drafting, review, revision, validation and finalization of the national teacher policy and its accompanying implementation plan including the costing of key aspects. **Expected Outcomes:** The main expected outcomes are as follows: - An updated road map for the development of a comprehensive national teacher policy; - Documents/activity reports; - A completed comprehensive national teacher policy, integrating a detailed implementation plan that includes the costing of key aspects which needs to be costed. **Methodology:** The overall process of drafting a comprehensive national teacher policy is defined in a Teacher Policy Development Guide. In line with the updated road map, a series of revision workshops and consultation meetings at the national and subnational levels will be organized for the development process. Feedback on the draft documents will be provided by the National Review Committee, appointed by the MoES, as well as the national and international experts in the form of written feedback within a given time period, and by the participants of national and subnational consultation workshops in the form of oral feedback. It is important to recall that all the actions are carried out using a participatory approach under the coordination of the Department of Teacher Education, Ministry of Education and Sports. **Assignments:** The national expert will perform the tasks under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education and the direct supervisions of the Chief of Section for Inclusive Quality Education (IQE). The national expert shall provide technical support in the development process of a comprehensive national teacher policy in Lao PDR and its accompanying implementation plan including the costing of key aspects. The national expert is required to work closely with the international expert (to be identified by UNESCO) throughout the process. Specifically, the national expert shall perform the following assignments: **1) Prior to the workshops/meetings and any identified activities:** - Communicate with all identified key players in Lao PDR and support coordination at the country level; - Propose an updated road map which is regularly revised for the development of the comprehensive national teacher policy, jointly with the international expert; - Review the draft dimensions 1 to 10 (Lao version), and provide feedback and constructive comments for the National Drafting Committee, in a coordinated manner with the identified international expert; - Provide advice and guidance for the revision of the detailed, implementation plan, including the costing of key aspects, for the ten dimensions of the teacher policy in a coordinated manner with the identified international expert; - Participate in regular online meetings with UNESCO Bangkok and the international expert to plan and prepare for each workshop/meeting; - Prepare workshop/meeting materials, in consultation with the identified international expert, in particular the concept notes and workshop agendas, as necessary; **2) During the workshops/meetings and any other identified activities**: - Ensure capacity building of the National Drafting Committee through learning by doing, and encourage their full participation throughout the drafting process of the comprehensive national teacher policy and to create a sense of national ownership of the policy; - Support the identified international expert in the co-facilitation of the workshops/meetings (onsite facilitation) and provide technical inputs towards improving the draft policy and its accompanying implementation plan; - Support the drafting of the detailed, implementation plan that includes the costing of key aspects which needs to be costed for the ten dimensions of the teacher policy; Long Description ---------------- **3) After the workshops/meetings and any other identified activities**: - Review and provide comments on the draft teacher policy, including the implementation aspects (Lao version); - Provide technical guidance, support, feedback and comments to the National Drafting Committee during the revision process; - Finalize the Lao version of the complete draft of the comprehensive national teacher policy, and ensure that it is aligned with the finalized English version. This should include the implementation plan including the costing of key aspects for the ten dimensions of the teacher policy (Lao version). The national expert, with support of the National Technical Committee and UNESCO Bangkok, shall make all relevant supporting documents available to the identified international expert and facilitate exchanges with key players identified for the policy document review. The specific tasks of the national and international experts and the deliverables can be found in [Annex 1](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/106BLdbr6ys80iq-SGnVYClqdATHG3mKm?usp=sharing). *In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the individual consultant is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.* **Deliverables and Timeframe:** Deliverables shall be submitted to UNESCO Bangkok in English and/or Laotian. Feedback from UNESCO Headquarters and Bangkok Office, the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 as well as the National Review Committee on the comprehensive national teacher policy will be provided to the national expert within two weeks from the submission date of each deliverable. Overall supervision and technical guidance will be provided by UNESCO Bangkok, UNESCO Headquarters and the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 through regular communication by distance (via email, phone, Zoom/Teams). To the extent possible, the national expert shall reflect comments and suggested modifications. The assignment should be carried out during the period from **15 August to 31 December 2022**. The national expert is expected to submit the following deliverables to UNESCO Bangkok. 1\) Relevant materials for the first workshop, including an updated road map for the development of the comprehensive national teacher policy in Lao and workshop agenda in English, by **5 September 2022**; 2\) Relevant materials, including the workshop agenda and tools, for subsequent workshops to revise, validate and finalize the draft comprehensive national teacher policy and its accompanying implementation plan including the costing of key aspects of the comprehensive national teacher policy, in Lao, by **31 October 2022**; 3\) The revised draft of dimensions 1 to 10 of the comprehensive national teacher policy, and the revised accompanying implementation plan, including the costing of key aspects, Lao version, by **30 November 2022**; and 4\) The final draft of the entire comprehensive national teacher policy, and its implementation plan including the costing of key aspects, Lao version, by **22 December 2022**. **Travel clause**: The individual consultant may be required to travel on mission directly related to programme/projects and implementation during the assignment. The individual consultant should travel economy class and receive DSA at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). However, lower rates may be paid where negotiated by the staff member responsible for the contract. DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. Individual consultant is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations. Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- - Possess at least 10 years of professional experience in the management of education systems, training and policy development; - Strong analytical and research skills; - Excellent command in Lao, and very good command in spoken and written English; - Advanced university degree in education, social sciences, monitoring and evaluation, or related fields; and - Strong understanding of the education system, in particular teacher education, in Lao PDR. Long Description ---------------- **APPLICATION PROCESS** ----------------------- Interested candidates should click on “**Apply Now**” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in **‘Employment History Form / My Documents’**. Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information: - An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work - A brief technical proposal (1-2 pages) discussing the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment - The proposed fee in US dollars to undertake the assignment. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately. The complete application shall be submitted on or before **8 August 2022, midnight Bangkok time**. Note: • Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process. • Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at . **Assessment:** Evaluation of qualified applicants will include the review of the curriculum vitae, technical proposal and proposed consultancy fee. UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization best value for money. **Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.** **Footer** ---------- UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.